Electric switch



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Sme/Mom! M. S. WRIGHT ELECTRIC SWITCH Flled Oct 5 1921 ...eww

July 17, 1928.

Mud/ifm@ July 17, 192s. r 1,677,509

M. s. WRIGHT ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed oct. s. 1921 s sheets-sheet 2 July 17, 1928;

M. s. WRIGHT ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed oct. 5. 1921 s sheets-snet Patented `uly 17, 1928. l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS S. WRIGHT, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application led October 3, 1921. Serial No. 505,069.

the circuit will be moved to its first engag` ing position, before the break 'of contact,

the movable contact also being provided with a rotatable contact point which is rotated upon each operation of the switch lover, so that a new Contact surface is presented upon each movement of theswitch to complete the circuit, the sliding of the movable contact and the rotation ofthe contact point preventing the accumulation of carbon, at the point of permanent engagement, due to the arc at the time of make and break, which impairs the usefulness of the switch.

Another object consists in constructing the switch so that it may be inserted. into the handle, or removed therefrom, as a unit, and is secured in lthe handle to prevent longitudinal or rotatablemovement, the lever of thc switch projecting through an opening in the handle to be within easy reach of the operator.

A further object resides in connecting the Wires to the switch in a. novel manner so 'that the connection therebetween will not be easily broken and the feed wire, which passes through the tubular handle, will not be withdrawn from the handle even though a severe pull orr strain is applied thereto.

The invention has for still another object the construction of the switch in 'such a manner that at no time is any part of the switch body or trigger charged with electricity.

lVith the above and other objects in view, whi'h will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts, described inthe following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention it will be understood that such changes may be made as lwill fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1n the drawings: f

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the tubular handle with the switch and wires connected thereto, shown in side elevation.

Fig. 2tis a side elevation of the switch with a portion shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan ofthe switch.

Fig. 4 -is a side elevation, particularly in longitudinal vertical section of the movable contact arm.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the movable contact arm.

Fig. 6 is a perspective group showing in detail a numberv of the separate parts going forward to make up my invention.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section through the tubular handle showing a side elevation of the switch, and a modified form of means for securing the switch in the handle. A

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section through the handle and switch shown in .Fig 7.

Fig. 9 is a. longitudinal vertical section through the switch securing plate, and,

Fig. 10 is a top plan of the switch securing plate.

In the drawings 1 indicates a portion of the tubular handle of an electrically oper-- ated vacuum cleaner the outer end of the handle being curved as shown at 2, in the usual manner, and provided. in the bottoms 'with the longitudinally extending opening 3, said opening extending'to t-he outer end of the handle. My improved form of switch is adapted to be inserted into the handle as a 'unit and to be secured therein against lon-- gitudinal or rotatable movement, the' operatinglever of the switch projecting through the openings 3 within easy reach of the operator. A.

My switch consists of a base or support a formed with the bottom 4, and the up-turned sides 5, each of said sides having an outer extending flange or lip 6 struck therefrom and extending on a plane below the upper edges of the sides.' The base or support a is provided at one end with the upwardly ex'- tendmg portion 7 and at the opposite end is folded inwardly to provide the overlyingl .lip or tongue 8, said lip or tongue lying between the side flanges 5. A lip or tongue 9 is struck from the base 1, intermediate the ends thereof, and is folded back over the base as more particularly shown in Fig. 7 Longitudinally spaced threaded openings 10 and 11 are formed in the base 1 and the in-turne'd lips or tongue-s 8 and 9 respectively to receive securing screws to be later described.

Blocks 12 and 13 of insulating material are secured to the base or support a, between the side flanges 5, by means of the transversely extending rivets or bolts 14 which pass through openings 15 formed in the side flanges 5 and openings 16 formed in the blocks adjacent the lower edges thereof. Openings 17 are formed in each of the blocks 12 and 13, adjacent the upper edges thereof, and these openings, at the inner faces of the blocks, are enlarged as shown at 18 for a purpose to be later described. The lower edge of each of the blocks 12 and 13 are cut away at one end to form a recess 19 said recess receiving. the in-turned lip or tongue 9 formed on the base as more particularly shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the -drawings. A plate 20 of the insulating material is secured between the blocks 12 and 13, Jthis plate extending beyond one end of the blocks as quite clearly shown in the drawings, the inner end of the plate being cut away to form the recess 21, corresponding to the recess 19 in the blocks and the outer end formed with vertically spaced openings 22 having outwardly extendingflanges 23 at each side thereof. Securedto the blocks 12 and 13 respectively are the stationary contact arms 24 and 25, of brass or similar material, and each of these arms has struck therefrom the longitudinally spaced inwardly eX- tending tongues 26 which are adapted to eX- tend through the openings 17 of the blocks and have there inner ends bent to be received in the enlarged portions 18 on the inner faces of the blocks. At one end the contact arms are bent to form the outwardly extending flanges 27 and adjacent the opposite ends the arms are formed with the openings 28, said openings being threaded to receive the binding screws 29 for connecting the wires, to be later described. A lever 30 is pivotally connected to the outer end ofthe base or support a, between the side flanges 5, by means of the transversely extending pin 31, the inner end of the lever being forked to form the spaced lates 32 and the outer end formed with a ba l 33 or other enlargement.

The plates 32 are provided with the aligned.

openings 34 for receiving the pivot pin 31 and struck from each of -said plates 32 is an inwardly extending lip 35 which, in cross section, is concavo-convex, as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings. The plates 32 are formed with the projections 36 which overlie the end of the ase 4 of the support a to limit the movement of the lever, in one direction, as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawlllgS.v

A movable contact arm 37 of insulating material, is adapted to be Operated by the lever 30, said contact arni having, adjacent one end, the transversely extending opening 38 to receive the shaft 39 one end of which is enlarged as shown at 40 and the opposite end of whichis reduced as shown at 41 to receive the ring V42. As will be noted the ring 42 is of t-he same diameter as the enlargement 40 and said enlargement and ring form the contact points for engaging the undersurface of the flanges 27 of the stationary contact arms 24 and 25. The shaft 39, its enlarge- -ment 40, and the ring 42, may be made of brass or other similar material and as quite clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing the opening 38 is of greater dia-meter than the shaft 39 so that the shaft may easily rotate therein for a purpose and in a manner which will be later described. The end of lthe contact Aarm 37 opposite to that carrying the shaft 39, is formed with a longitudinally extending vertical slot providing the spaced arms 43 and extending inwardly a short distance from the end of the slot referred to is a recess 44 for receiving the inner end of a coil spring 45 which is received between the arms 43. The inner end of said spring is secured tothe arm by means of the transversely extending pin 46 and the opposite end of the spring is connected to the pivot pin 31 of the lever. Notches 47 are formed in the ends of the arms 43 and receive the in-turned lips or projections 35 of the lever,

las quite clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It will be seen that as the lever is operated the lips or projections 35 will cngage opposite faces of these notches so as to swing the contact arm 37, the coil spring 45 serving to draw the inner end of the contact arm into raised or lowered position after the pin 46 has passed the center line of the pivot pin 317 this spring serving to make a quick contact. When the contact arm 37 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the enlargement 40 and ring 42 on the shaft 39 engage the flanges G of the base or support a and the circuit is broken. When the contact arm is swung into the position shown in Fig. 2 the enlargement 40 and ring 42 engage the flanges 27 of the contact arms 24 and 25 and the circuit is made. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the circuit broken, and' it is desired to complete the circuit the lever 30 is swung towards the end of the handle. vThis movement of the lever causes the projections 35 to engage the bottom of the notches 47 of the arm 37 to swing the opposite end of the arm upwardly and as the lever is swung the arm will be pushed towards the insulating blocks 12 and 13 of the switch and the shaft 39 will be rotated. After the end of the arm has llo been raised to such position that the pin 46 is beyond the center line of the pivot pin 31,the coil spring 45 will snap the end of the arm upwardly so that a qui-ck contact iS made between the enlargement 40 and ring 42 and the contact arms 24 and 25. After iirst engaging the contact arms the enlargement 40 and ring 42 will be drawn along the arms a short distance to have permanent engagement at a different point than the iirst contact. It will thus be seen that the point of make and break is at a different position on the arms than the first contact and any accumulation of carbon due to the make and break will be at the point of the original con tact or engagement. When'it is desired to break the circuit the lever 30 is swung into the opposite direction and the initial movement of the lever will slide the contact point and roll the shaft 39 until the enlargement 40 and ring 42 leave the iianges 27. The

point of break is at the original point of contact after the pin 46 has passed the center line of the pivot pin 3l tl e contact arm will be snapped downwardly. By this it will be seen that upon each movement of the lever the shaft 39 will be rotated so that a new surface will be presented to the arms 24 and 25 at each making of the circuit. There is a greater rotating of the shaft along the flanges 6 than there is along the contact arms 24 and 25 so that although the shaft rotates in opposite directions upon the operation of the lever ,inl making and breaking the circuit never-theless a new contact surface will be presented at each making of the circuit. In the past considerable difficulty has been experienced in forming a switch, for the purpose described, which will operate successfully at all times, it being found that no matter 'how quick the make and break occur there will be a slight arc and therefore an accumulation of carbon on the contact points. I prevent this accumulation of the carbon by the rotation of the contact points and by presenting a new surface at each making of the circuit.

As previously stated my improved form of switch is adapted for insertion into the tubular handle l, as a unit, and is secured therein by means of the screws 47 which pass through threaded openings in the handle and into the threaded openings in the base l and the inturned tongues 8 and 9 of the base. Vith the switch secured in the manner described it will be seen that longitudinal and'rot-atable movement with respect to the handle is prevented, but that simple means has been provided whereby when desired the switch may be disconnected. In the construct-ion shown in Fig. 1, to position the switch Within the handle, it is inserted from the outer end of the-handle with the lever 30 extending through the slot 3. A plate 48 is carried by the screws 47 and en- `gages the outerl face of the bottom of the handle. This plate is provided with longi tudinally spaced openings, as quite clearly shown in Fig. l, for the receptionof the screws 47 and one end of the plate is `formed with the semicircular enlargement V49 having a central opening 50 through which the feed wire 5l passes. The opening 50 is of sufi-4 cient diameter to also receive the wire wrapping 52 around the end of the feed wire 51 said wrapping 52 being of slightly larger diameter at the upper 'end as shown at 53, the enlarged portion 53 being received within the semicircular portion 49- of the plate 48 and this connection preventing a movement of the Wire wrapping 52 uponthe wire 51.

The wrapping 52 prevents cutting of the feed wire 51 and being flexible does' not interfere with the movement of the sweeper..

At the upper end the feed wire 5.1 is separated into the wires -54 and 55 which extend through an opening 56 in the handle and are wrapped around a wooden pin 57 which extends transversely of the opening 56. The wire 54 passes through the lower opening 22 in the plate 20 of insulating material and is connected to the binding screw 29. The wire 55 passes to the electric motor connected to the handle in any usual manner. A wire 58 passes through the upper opening 22 of the plate 20, is connected at one end to the bind" ing screw 29 on the side of the switch oppositeto that to which the wire 54 is connected, and the opposite end extends to the,y

electric motor.

ico

A sleeve of insulating material 59 is placed in the barrel between the barrel and switch.

This sleeve 59 prevents a short circuit between the switch and barrel.

If desired the sleeve maybe inserted with the switch or may be inserted into the handle to receive the switch.

In Figs. 7, 8, 9- and 10 I have shown a slightly modied form of my invention, in which the switch is inserted into the handle through an opening in the bottom thereof instead of from the e-nd as described in the the slot, for substantially its entire length,

will be closed by the plate 60 which is of suf,- ficient width to be received in the slot and has its ends off set as shown at 6l and 62 to extend beyond the ends of the slot and enga-ge the outer face of the handle.. The off set portion 6l is provided with a single opening 62 to receive the screw 63 which engages a threaded opening in the handle for connecting this end of the plate in position. The ofi set portion 62 has an ear 64von each side ythereof and `these ears extend beyond the sides of the slot 3. Each of the ears y64 is provided with an' opening 65 to receive the screws 66 which engage in threaded openings ot the handle. As quite clearly shown in F ig. 7 a sufficient of the slot 3 is left open to receive the operating lever 30 for throwing the switch. The plate ($0, adjacent that end having the oitl set 6l is provided with t-lie seniicircular enlargement (57 having the opening 68 through which the feed wire 5l extends. Screws 69 extend through theplate and engage the opening in the base 4 ot' the switch for securing'the switch ,against longitudinal or rotatable movement with respect to the handle.

In all other respects the construction of the switch shown in the modiied form .of the invention is the same as that described for the preferred form except that a plate 70 is secured to tlieouter faces ot each of the contact arms 24 and 25, as quite clearly shown in Fig. 7, and forms a guide for the movable contact arm 37 which slides therebetween.

From the above detail vdescription it will be seen that I have provided a switch, particularly adapted for use in connection with vacuum cleaners, which is compact in forni, takes up little space in the handle, and may be assembled in position or vremoved from the handle as a unit. In other words the several parts of the switch, with the connecting wires, may be assembled and connected and then inserted into the handle. It will readily be appreciated that the smuall space within the handle would make it .very

hard, if not entirely impossible, to connect the parts after the insertion. At the same time I have provided a..novel'forin of con-l tact which is rotated upon each operation ot', the switch lever so that a new Contact surface is presented at the making of the circuit. I also' provide the wooden pin 57 which prevents the feed wire from being pulled out of the handle and the wires disconnected fromthe binding screw 29 or from the motor connection. At no time is any part of the switch body or trigger charged with electricity. The only curient that can possibly be in the switch when it is on is in the two stationary contact arms and the roller of the movable contact arm.

Having fully described myinvention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pate-nt is:

1. An electric switch comprising a base. having liorizontalflanges extending therefrom, stationary contacts carried by thebase, a lever connected to the base, a movable arm operable by the lever, and rotatable contact points carriedy by the movable arm and adapted to engage jthe horizontal flanges ot' the base when the circuit is brokenand the stationary contactswhen the circuit is made,

the contact points being rotated upon each operation of t-he lever.

2. An electric switch comprising a base, stationary contacts carried by thebase, a forked lever connected to the base, a movable contact arm operable by the lever and having a recess therein, andan inwardly extending projection struck from each arm of the forked lever for reception in the recess of the movable arm.

3. An electric .switch comprising a base, stationary contacts carried by the base, a lever pivotally connected to the base, a movableJ contact arm, a spring having one end connected to thel movable contact-arm and the opposite end to the pivot of the lever, 'and means carried by the lever for engagement with the contact arm for swinging said contact arm upon each operation of the lever.

4. An electric switch comprising a base` stationary contacts carried by the base, a lever pivotally connected to the base, a movable contact arm, rotatable contact points carried by the movable arm and adapted to engage the base when the circuit is broken and the stationary contacts when the circuit is made, a spring connected to the movable contact arm and to the pivot point of the lever, and means carried by the level' for swinging the movable contact arm upon each operation ot the lever, said spring drawing the coutactpoints into contact position after the outer end of the arm has passed the ceninsulating block carried by the base and having transversely extending openings terminating` in enlarged openings, stationary con- 4 tacts vhaving projections adapted t extend through said openings and -to be bent to engage the enlarged openings, a lever connected to the base, and a movable contact arm operable by the lever for engaging the stationary contacts.

6. An electric switch comprisinga base, insulating blocks secured to the base, each of said blocks having` openings extending therethrough and terminating in enlarged openings at the inner ends, a stationary contact secured to the outer face ot' each insulating block, said contacts having projections extending through the openings in the,l

blocks and bent to be received in the enlarged openings, a lever pivotally connected to the base, and a movable contact arm operable by the lever for engaging the stationary contacts.

7. An electric switch comprising a base, insulating blocks secured to the base, an insulating plate secured between the blocks and extending beyond one end thereof, stationarv contacts secured to the insulating ot, a lever connected tothe'base, a `vmovable vblocltsvand extending beyond each end there- I ,v and electric wires extending through opento the stationary contacts.

contact arm'operable by the lever for en` gaging one Aend of the stationary contacts,

ings inl tlieuinsulating plate and connecting 48. In combination with a vhollow handle, a switch adapted forinsertion in the handle, electric wires extending into the handle and connected to the switch, and axdetachabl'e plate secured to the outside vof the'handle and engaging the. wiresfor positioning the v same with respect to the handle.

9. In combination Wit-li a hollow handle, a switch adapted for insertioninto the handle, a detachable plate secured to the outer face of the handle, and electricwires eX.- tending through said plate and into the handle and vconnected to the switch, -said plate positioning the wires with respectto the handle.4

10. In combination with ahollow handle, a switch adapted for' insertion into'the handle, electric wires extending intoth'e handle and connected to the switch, al wire protecting covering surrounding. the wires adjacent the outer face'of the handle, and a plate secured to the handle, said plate having a semil circular portion to receive the end of the wire protecting covering.

11. In'combination witha hollow handle, a switch adapted-for insertion into the handle, wires extending into the handle` and conl nected tb the switch, a plate,fon the exterior4 of the handle, for positioning the wire with respect to the handle, and'means extending through said plate for securing the same to the handle and for 'engaging and securing the switch in the handle. l

12. In combination with a hollow handle having an opening inthe wall thereof, a.

switch adapted for insertion in the handle,

- electric wires extending through the opening in-l the handle and connected to the switch, and a pin carried by the wires,'on the inside of the handle, for engagin the inner wall of the handle, to prevent t e disconnecting of the wires from the switch. 113. In combination with a hollow handle having an opening in the wall thereof, a

switch adapted for insertion into the handle,

wires `extending through the opening and connected to the switch, and' a transversely extending pin carried by the wires, and over-- lyin the edges of the opening in the wall of t e handle, to prevent the withdrawal of the wires from the handle.

14. In combination with a hollow handle having an elongated opening inthe wall thereof, .a switch adapted for insertion'into thehandle through the opening, a removable Y plate for closing the opening, said plate hav- Img a concaveconvex portion-intermediate its ends, means carriedby the plate for "posit'oning the switchv within the handle, and

signature. I wires extending through the concave-convex portion switch. 4 v

15.'An electric switch comprising a base, a stationary contact carried by the base and spaced therefrom, a pivoted lever, a movable contact arm operable by the lever, and a ro tatable contact member carried by the mov able arm, said rotatable Contact member normally being@ engaged with the base but 'adapted to be swung into engagement with the stationary contact upon operation of the lever, said rotatable contact being rotated along the base upon initial movement ofthe lever and rotated upon the stationary contact after engagement therewith.

16. An electric switch comprising a base, a

v,stationary contact carried by the base and spaced therefrom, a pivoted lever, a movable contact arm operable by the lever, and a ro-` tatable contact member carried by the inovof the plate andl connected to theJ i able arm, said rotatable contact member norrctlatable contact into engagement with the f ot er member and rotating the same thereon.

7 17 An' electric switch comprising a base, a'

stationary contact carried by the base and spaced therefrom, a pivoted lever, a-movable contact arm' operable by the lever, anda rotatable Contact member carried by the movable arm and adapted for engagement with either the base or stationary contact uponl operation of the lever and movable contact arm, the initial movement of the lever and contactl arm rotating the rotatable Contact uponthat member with which it is en.-

gaged and further movement thereof swinging the rotatable contact into engagement with the other member and rotating the same thereon.

18. rAn electric switch comprising a base, a stationary Contact carried by the base and spaced therefrom, a pivoted lever, a lmovable contact arm operable by the lever, and a rotatable contact member carried by the movable arm and adapted for engagement with either thel base or stationary contact upon operation of thelever and movable' contact arm, the `initial movementof theA lever andu contact arm rotating theV rotatable contact upon that member with which it is engaged and'further movement thereof swinging. theA rotatable contact into engagement with the other member androtatmg the same thereon, the rotatable movement of the contact along movement along the'stationary contact.

In testimony Moiuus s .wnienfix .the base" being greater than.' the -rotatable whereof 'I hereunto aix myV I 

